Pagans...Wiccans...Witches.....OFFERINGS?

Question

Just wondering what sort of daily offerings you like to make, and any rituals associated with that?

Looking for new ideas!
Blessed Be!

I use flowers pretty stones, fruit, etc...

Answer 1

The only daily offering that I make consistently is songs of praise. It's something that I've been doing a long time and I think it makes my gods smile (I have a low raspy voice so my singing is usually pretty bad in a comical way and I know it). But offerings play a big part in my practices and what I offer depends on the deity (and what I feel they would like) and the time of the year. I never give left overs. I always pick out the nicest piece of fruit or the nicest flower. Since that is they way that I would treat a guest in my home, I feel that my deities deserve as least as much honor and respect.

My offerings have varied over the years and have included wine, apples, apple cider, unpasteurized milk, goat's cheese, other cheeses, crackers and breads, prized stones and pieces of amber, simple wooden carvings, flowers, herbs, incense, fruit, honey, raw wheat, nuts, eggs, gifts made out of clay, drawings and paintings, turnips, and painted gourds. I've also played songs on my flute and lap harp for them. Once, for a special offering, I gave a long lock of my hair--this was a special offering from me because my hair is hip-length and only grows about 3" a year.

Another special offering was to find and buy stones for certain spirits and offer them the stones. For example, I bought a beautiful 4" sphere of China red quartz and offered it to a spirit friend of mine. I like using stones for magical work but my gift was to give it to that spirit and since it was a gift, I never use it for anything except to contact that spirit. The stones belong to the entities that I gave them to so they aren't mine to use anymore. The money saved to buy them was a sacrifice that was meaningful to me. No, I don't think that offerings need to be expensive but I feel that a true sacrifice shouldn't be easy either. I have six very beautiful stones in my home that were given as these types of gifts. I feel that all sacrifices are offerings but not all offerings are sacrifices. But I won't get into that....

I really didn't mean to type a novel. It's just that offerings play such a big part of my life. They teach me to give without asking for anything in return. They are the way that I show my deities that I am thinking about them. It's one way that I show my love and devotion. Other than singing at set-aside times in the day, I don't really have a specific time of day to give to my deities. Anytime works. It's simply become interwoven with the way that I think and my life in general.

Answer 2

I've been fasting every day for 4 months.
Not like starving but not eating over about 1,000 calories a day.
It's not an offering in the classic sense but the self-discipline associated with it forces me to focus on the spiritual.

I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it works for me.
I hope it helps.

I’m looking into analogies between the Goddess and Sophia although the base concept is different I’m hoping to come more into Pagan alignment, so I search for inspiration as well.

Blessed Be!

Answer 3

Whatever fits the season is great! If you use any food stuffs, be sure to take them outside to give to the spirits living out in your yard. You don't have to offer just physical things either... you could try offering to do one nice thing for someone that day, or promise to volunteer or change a bad habit. Anything that helps you to make your life and the lives of your family/community better, is a blessing that is smiled upon no matter what religion you belong to!

Brightest Blessings, dear one!

Answer 4

I have an ancestral shrine where I make the vast majority of my personal offerings. These usually take the form of incense or a shared drink. From time to time, I'll open it up and simply talk - let my ancestors know what's going on with those of us who are still on this side.

Any offering I make to the land comes either through simple respect of the planet or the occasional offering at moons and sabbats.

All the best,

Lazarus

Answer 5

I like using flowers,since earth is my element and my deities are deities of the earth.I offer fruits also,like pomegranates,or apples.I believe the offerings could connecting with your deity.For example an Earth God/Goddess,his/her offers could be flowers,fruits,etc.I have heard some wiccans offers wine too...
Blessings!

Answer 6

as daily offerings, I usually burn a candle, as well as general upkeep on my alter-- keeping fresh cut flower and/or herbs, full libation bowl, no real ritual associated with that unless you consider the process of upkeep a ritual.

Answer 7

I do not make daily offerings, but when I want to offer something that pleases the Gods, it is usually incense (frankincense or white copal).

Answer 8

I guess you could call what I do offerings, kind of. Any time I have leftover bread or lettuce I take it outside to put under my birdfeeders to feed the birds and rabbits and other animals to help them out as a sort of thank you to the gods for what I have.

Answer 9

I try to read alittle bit from one of my books, answer questions about paganism, listen to pagan music at work, listen to pagan podcasts, and do some kind needlework/spinning.
I try to do at least one of those everyday. Generally I get in knitting, spinning, listening to music, and answering questions here.

I always do something on the full moon, and I always do something on a sabbat. ^_^ I practice with a club at my college, and we all take turns writing and leading rituals.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wwupagans_mailinglist/
On occation, i go up to the Aquarian Tabernacle Church for a ritual. ^_^

Answer 10

I burn a 3 candle , altar daily. for fire. It has water and few pebbles from the creek for Earth and incense for air and of course my spirit. What else do you need ? Just practice and ask for harmony,